My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly

cake is so pretty,

knife and a paper

candles out of a box to the side.

head of the group, which happened to be a little girl

sing the

must close her eyes and

blow out the

shook her head to indicate to Julian that

lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t

to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her with pretty, sparkling

clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began

thank you!” their parents instructed,

raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer

the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in

don’t need to be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your

Don’t worry about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well

upstairs, then. It’s been getting

she turned and headed

her apartment and about to close

the door was propped

glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on it. Suddenly, she

out on business? she

the house and shut the door before surveying

“I see you’ve been getting along

took two steps back. Why are you

toward her as he pulled off his necktie

he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days,

by step he approached her, forcing her back inch

no idea what she

she staggered after him and was